We had connected in Doha following our surprising QSuite flight. with a bit of a layover that I’ll cover in a separate post. Ultimately however we were flying from Doha, Qatar to Philadelphia on a Qatar Airways A350. Our experience traversing security was one that is ingrained in my memory, at least for another few weeks.

Entering Hamad International Airport from our long layover was welcoming as usual:

Further immigration and security was simple. We found ourselves in the lounge in no time–so much so that we skipped photos, since its been well covered.

But, when it was time to travel, we made our way to the gate and found a rather complicated process to ultimately board our flight. That process started with standing in a line to have our electronics swabbed and bagged in duty free bags.

Once our electronics were in the duty free bags, we went through another 2 individuals who had to inspect our boarding passes and passports.

Resulting electronics bag

Then it was security, which was typical–remove your belts, electronics and liquids. Following that we had no fewer than 5 additional Qatar Airways staff members who inspected our boarding passes and passports. That isn’t even including the flight attendant at the door that verified our boarding passes and pointed us to our seats.

Wrapping Up – Flying from Qatar

I have to say, our experience flying through Doha was less than stellar. Hamad International Airport is a phenomenal airport. But the enhanced security for flights to the United States was excessive and, while I try to avoid passing judgement, I fail to see the value added. The security, so far as I could tell, was just as exhaustive as US Preclearance out of Abu Dhabi, but without the benefit of exiting the aircraft Stateside without having to go through immigration.

God Save The Points writer Gilbert Ott has an amazing marketing push going on at the moment, and he’s even gotten British Airways to play ball with him, giving away free upgrades. Miles from Blighty happened to see him.

Here’s an impromptu roll-up from some of the interesting things I’ve seen over the past few weeks – including a rare bottle of Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial. I’ll have a more complete Weekly Round-up tomorrow, but here’s a brief one for your idle–or not so idle–Thursday.

There has been a lot of discussion about emotional support animals. What with the emotional support duck a few weeks ago, I thought it would be appropriate to share how you can bring your falcon on your flight to Doha on Qatar Airways.

So, there you have it, you might get exception for guide dogs. Falcons, also get exception. Yet, it is not entirely clear whether Falcons can fly in the passenger cabin. Personally, I don’t see why not, but, each airline to their own.

Conclusion: Bring your falcon on your flight to Doha

I don’t have a falcon, personally. I’ve wanted to give Falconry a try, but, you know, we must live within our means. I would feel horrible if I had a falcon, and couldn’t properly exercise said falcon, or give said falcon the kind of environment that they need. But, if you do have a falcon, my opinion is, that you need to fly Qatar or Etihad, because they have pretty flexible policies, that would allow you to travel with your falcon in your same cabin. I know, if I had my way, I’d prefer to take my #indydog in the passenger cabin, so why not a falcon?

The Grand Hyatt Doha is roughly an hour from Doha’s Hamad International Airport. Taxi fare was between 55 and 70 QAR. We selected the hotel primarily because it was a Hyatt, had a cash and points option, and because we hadn’t stayed there yet.

Overall, our impressions were that the hotel was beautiful. Its only 5 floors, with, I think only 3 or 4 that had rooms. The architecture seemed to be traditional. We were upgraded to a gorgeous sweet at the end of the wing on the third floor, room 367.

Check in occurred in the very nice Lounge. It was efficient and the staff was fantastic. They show a great desire to make us feel comfortable before heading to our room.

Arrival Tea and Snacks

The lounge was wonderful, it was open and a big space. As far as service, the staff really excelled.

Lounge

During the 2 and a half hour evening cocktails, we never had an empty drink in front of us, which, I have to say, I tested a few times – truly the staff really excelled. In addition to the canapes set out—which were substantive—they also had two “hot” options, a minced lamb, and hush puppies. Let me just say, these hush puppies were on par with the best I’ve ever had, and that’s comparing them to the Southern United States, where I think they were first created.

Hush Puppies!

The only detractor of the lounge was that being an open space, one large (we’re talking 15-20 people) crowd got boisterous and it was hard to have a conversation, but that didn’t last very long.

As I mentioned, we were updated to a gorgeous suite. It was a large room, with a sitting area, a dining area, and a desk, then a separate bedroom and bathroom.

Living Room and Dining area

Another view of the living room.

Spacious Bedroom

Two Sinks in the Bathroom.

And outside of all of that, was a wrap-around porch that went on forever!

Porch

More Porch

We had the chance to walk around the property, and were impressed with its two primary pools (one indoor, one outdoor):

View of the Pools from our room.

as well as a robust fitness club. There were two “clubs” in the lobby area—which was expansive as well—in addition to a hookah lounge outside—which happened to be under our balcony. The property also had a beach, and a good amount of outdoor space that looked like it was used for events. Overall, it was beautifully manicured, and traditional looking.

Our biggest complaint about the property had to do with what was directly underneath our room. That being a club, that on a Friday night had the bass going until 2am. We both realized what we had gotten ourselves into when we got back from the lounge and the party was in full swing. Eventually we fell asleep, only to have the doorbell to the room rung around midnight by a staff member trying to deliver a baby crib. As you probably would’ve guessed from 90 minutes in Cairo, we had absolutely no need for a baby crib. I had mentioned something, almost offhand at checkout, and ended up receiving an e-mail from one of the hotel’s guest relations officers not 3 hours after we checked out. I was impressed.

Overall, the hotel is quite beautiful, the staff mattered where it counted, just go for a room on the higher floors.

Many who know me, know that I’m a big fan of Qatar Airways. In fact, nearly half of my American Airlines Executive Platinum status is going to be earned on Qatar Airways this year.

So why am I big fan:

Layflat seats: I haven’t flown a single flight without layflat seats. I hear Qatar flies planes with angled layflats or worse, but I’ve been lucky.

Exhaustive food options. I’m flying Doha to Washington-Dulles as I write this, and I’ve just had the best gnocchi that I think I’ve ever had.

Gnocchi

a corollary to that: other than the 5 course meals, their tea in excellent.

Lounge: I *really* enjoyed the old premium terminal. In fact I prefer it compared to the new terminal and lounge. Of course this might be because I liked the chicken Sandwiches more than the Krug I can get now.

Chicken Sandwich at Qatar’s old Premier Terminal

That said, the batenders at the current lounge had only a third of a bottle of Krug left (not sure why) and held it for me. To the point where one of the bartenders asked my permission to pour a glass of Krug for a new friend.

New mattress pads, even on old 777-300ERs! That said, they are hard to do yourself. I asked the crew to set mine up, which was wonderful. For reasons I can’t fathom and won’t speculate on, my wife didn’t ask. So, you can imagine who was helping.

Qatar Bed

They give you pajamas in business class! I mean who else does that (other than Qantas and Eva Air)?

Pajamas

Some of the things I think Qatar could still improve on:

Remote gates: we flew from Cairo to Doha on 777-300ER, with 250 or more passengers yet we were bused from a remote gate. I thought the whole point of the new airport was to have enough gates – what is this? Another Heathrow or Frankfurt?

Boarding practices: if there is one thing that I hate, it is Qatar‘s boarding practices. I’ve left far too many lounges just to sit on a bus or stand in line when they post “last call” 40 minutes before departure.

Pajamas: ok, this is a total first world problem, but when I put the Qatar PJ’s on I at once feel like Captain Kirk. The tapered leg of the bottoms and the tunic (yeah, thats what I’m going to call it), feel so Star Trekish.

Qatar‘s Onyx entertainment is awesome on the 787, and I hear on the A380 and A350, but the selection kind’ve sucks on the 777. Unlike some, I seldom load movies on my iPad so my most recent trip, I slept and read. Two wonderful activities nonetheless.

To wrap up, flyer Qatar Airways in my humble opinion is good to great. It’s business class, so I think you need to set your expectations.

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